Whether Bermuda will host next year’s $1.5 million Grand Slam of Golf is still unclear after a spokesman for the United States Golf Association yesterday refused to divulge when or where an announcement will be made.

USPGA communications director Julius Mason said that discussions “were ongoing” and that a number of potential hosts were “still being considered” — a statement which casts further doubt on Premier Ewart Brown’s insistence that the deal to bring the 36-hole, made-for-television spectacular to the Island is “all-but sealed”.

Brown unveiled the exciting initiative — which could see world number one Tiger Woods appear at the Mid Ocean Club in just over a year’s time — over two weeks ago, the day before announcing his intention to run for the leadership of the Progressive Labour Party.

In a press statement, Brown said the Department of Tourism were “in the final stages of negotiation” with the USPGA, adding that the contract would be signed at this year’s event in Hawaii which takes place later this month.

But since that time, the current hosts have made it known that they wish to hang onto the event, which is broadcast live to millions on TNT, while former Mid Ocean president Michael Dunkley and current vice-president David Ezekiel have both offered far more cautious assessments of whether Bermuda will be chosen.

Dunkley even suggested that Brown had made the announcement prematurely to garner positive headlines ahead of his ultimately successful leadership challenge — something the Premier denied.

“We are not in a position to make any announcement as of yet because no decision has been made,” Mason said yesterday.

“I wish I could tell you when we will be doing so, but at this stage there is still a lot to resolve.”

The Grand Slam of Golf is a two-round strokeplay competition between the four Grand Slam winners for the year, with the champion receiving $500,000 in prize money.

The Department of Tourism has agreed to stump up an initial sum of $1.5 million to host it.